National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has supported the crackdown by the Nairobi County on bars and nightclubs in residential areas.

NACADA CEO Victor Okioma says the authority has been receiving complaints frequently concerning bars and entertainment joints operating in estates and close to schools.

In a statement released on Monday, Okioma termed the actions being taken by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja as timely and vowed to throw its weight behind all such efforts.

“NACADA consequently supports the timely directive from the County Government and reiterates its commitment to work with the National Police Service (NPS) and other multisectoral stakeholders in ensuring that its enforcement is strictly undertaken especially given that the country is heading to the festive season,” the statement read in part.

NACADA noted that a high court ruling rendered back in 2018 had made it illegal to operate bars and clubs near schools and residential areas based on Article 42 of the Constitution.

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“In line with this development, NACADA wishes to remind the public that in November 2018 High Court Judge Justice Chacha Mwita ruled that it was illegal for bars to operate near schools and residential areas,” said Okioma.

Victor Okioma

He added: “He grounded his ruling on article 42 of the constitution which gives everyone the right to a clean and healthy environment which should be free from pollutants such as noise.”

The authority warned owners of premises offering entertainment and alcohol in estates to observe the Alcoholic Drinks Control Act, 2010 that outlines what the proximity should be.


NACADA further challenged resident associations and other groups in the community to also call out and reporting to authorities those violating the law to tame such wrongdoings.

This comes after 17 people were nabbed and music equipment in several clubs seized after officials from Nairobi County stormed nightclubs in residential areas on Sunday night.

The actions by the county officers came after Governor Sakaja announced that he had suspended licenses for clubs in residential areas due to public outcry over noise pollution.